Fins to control angular travel of sailboats and wake control

ABSTRACT

As Aileron (fin) is to airplanes and aqualeron is to ships, a device with fins position on both sides of the keel in a horizontal position where a set of gears controls the fin on one side in a downward arc and the other side in an upward arc providing a controlled below water force to maintain any arc of travel on a sail boat, or as a hydrofoil. A set of fins positioned on the bottom of a sailboat eliminating the keel. A set of fins positioned at the bow of a motor boat providing a downward force of the bow. A set of fins on either side of the stem of a power boat, when activated, swing out directing water to the rear of the boat filling the cavity created by the boat to eliminate the wake. A set of fins on both sides when opened to a tube allowing a force of water to enter and empty at the rear of the boat filling the cavity with instant water thereby controlling a wake free operation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is similar to the ailerons of an airplane which maintain a horizontal state. The fins (the aqualerons) are controlled by a set of gears which are in opposite planes on each side of the keel. Said fins create a downward pressure on one side and an upward pressure on the other side keeping vessel in any position from the horizon. Prior art does not address a simple and effective method to control any angular arc of travel. Cohen rotates a portion of the keel to maintain arc of travel. When the fin is applied, it creates a drag plus arcing the vessel in the direction of the applied fin requiring the rotor to compensate for the arc resulting in a greater drag. Serfess also has a section of the keel which rotates. Regnolds keel also has a section which arcs off the keel. Prior art addresses the problem from the rudder and keel, this invention addresses the problem on either side of the keel controlling the arc of travel. When conditions are stable, said fins will provide a hydrofoil status. Sailboats are constructed with a keel in some cases the keel is an integral part of the vessel. Other vessels have a keel which can be retracted when not in use. This invention eliminates the use of a keel wherein said fins are used to maintain horizontal control.

Said fins may also be used for wake control placed on both sides of the rear of a power boat, when opened; water is pulled in from each side and directed to the rear of the boat filling the cavity void of water equalizing the pressure resulting in wake control. A set of said fins located on both sides of the boat which covers a hole to a tube exiting at the rear of the boat which also fills the cavity for wake control. Again prior art does not address this problem completely.

Pigeon, Boom, Bennett, Frey and others try to correct the problem by using a hydrofoil controlled by a hydraulic cylinder which does not replace water in the cavity but raises the rear of the boat. A set of fins on both sides of the bow arcing in the same direction keeps the bow down and results in wake control.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention addresses the status of maintaining any arc of travel of a sail boat with acqualerons (fins), the design of said fins and gear systems are completely balanced requiring little pressure to operate. If the vessel is traveling north and the wind is from the east, lowering the right side fin downward and raising the left said fin results in controlled travel. Due to equal pressure on both sides of the keel, by said fins, the established arc will remain constant, the said fins work exactly like the aileron on a plane. During racing, said fins will control arc of travel producing greater speed, when said fins are not required, said fins are retracted eliminating any drag. When conditions are proper said fin can be used as a hydrofoil thereby increasing speed of vessel. Said fins used for pleasure sailboats will maintain the mast at a vertical angle allowing the vessel to be horizontal. Said fins can eliminate the keel providing less mass in the water providing greater speed. Said fins are fully retractable when not in use. Said fins on a motor boat located on either side of the bow would operate downward to keep the bow horizontal for wake control.

Said fins located on either side of the rear of the motor boat extending beyond the length of the boat having two pistons when opened will pull water from the side and direct the water to the rear to fill the cavity resulting in a wake free operation. Said fins on either side of the boat covering a tube which when open allows water to flow thru the tube exiting the rear from both sides, fills the cavity with water to provide wake control.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The following drawings are illustrations ONLY of the preferred embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1: shows the operation of the gears, cross section of said fin.

FIG. 2: illustrates the position of the said fins on either side of the keel.

FIG. 3: Said fin is hinged toward the bow on one side and said fin hinged toward the stem on the other side. Said fins are located on the keel of the vessel. Multiple fins may be used.

FIG. 4: shows sides and rear view of said fins on vessel without a keel.

FIG. 5: shows said fins at the bow of the boat operating from horizontal downward by gears

FIG. 6: is top view of boat with fins on either side in the open and closed position and a side view

FIG. 7: is top, side and rear view of boat with a hole entering a tube and exiting from rear with fins to close tube.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The primary embodiments of this invention is the gears in FIG. 1 with a round tapered gear 1 between two round tapered gears 2 and 2 a on either side of gear 1. When gear 1 is turned, gear 2 moves in the opposite direction of gear 2 a turning shafts 3 and 3 a which are attached to said fins 4 a and 4 b. When Gear 1 turns clockwise both said fins 4 a and 4 b turn in opposite arcs creating a downward pressure on said fin 4 b and upward pressure on fin 4 a, boat is traveling north and wind is from east creating a controlled arc of travel. A cross section of said fin shows top 4 a and bottom 4 b with shaft 3. 5 shows piston which retracts said fin when said fins are not in use. When gear 1 is disengaged gear 1 a is engaged on gear 2 and 2 a turning said fins 4 a and 4 b in the same degree of elevation resulting in a hydrofoil raising vessel upward reducing amount of vessel in the water thereby increasing its speed. FIG. 2 is a cross section of keel with said fins 4 a and 4 b on both sides of the keel. FIG. 3 illustrates said fin along major length of large keel with a hinge 1 a toward the bow, said fin on left side hinged toward the stern 1 b. Said fins in FIG. 3 operate as in

Sailboats that are long may use one large said fin or several smaller said fins wherein sets may control arc and hydrofoil at the same time. FIG. 5 illustrates said fins at the bow of the boat with gear 1 engaged with gear 2 with shaft 3 attached to said fin 4, on both sides of the bow moving in same arc to keep bow level. FIG. 6 illustrates the top view of the power boat with said fins on both sides of the rear of the boat extending past the rear with pistons 2 and 3. Pistons 2 is in the boat while pistons 3 is attached to the rear of the boat. Pistons 2 and 3 are connected to a hinge on said fins to allow angular arcing on the said fins 6. Pistons 2 and 3 operate independently of each other to provide the proper amount of water to fill cavity behind the boat. FIG. 7 illustrates tubes 2 with holes on the sides of the boat covered with said fins 6. In operation said fin 6 is pulled back and out to allow water to go thru the tube filling cavity behind boat to operate in a wake free travel. Said fin 6 open for wake control. During high speed travel, said fin 6 is closed preventing water from entering tube. 

1. Use of fins or aqualerons to stabilize said sail boats in any arc of travel either vertical or any angle from the vertical. Said fins can be used as a hydrofoil. 2-10. (canceled)
 11. When two or more said fins are on a vessel a set of fins may be used to control arc of travel and the remaining set of fins may be used as a hydrofoil. Said fins are retractable. Said fins in claim 1 shown in FIG. 4 are located at the bottom of the vessel wherein said fins eliminate the use of a keel. Said fins may also be installed on sides of the vessel out of the water and lowered when in use. Use of tapered gears in FIG. 1 control said fins for travel in hydrofoil.
 12. Fins in claim 11 controlled by gears at the bow in FIG. 5 when arced in a downward arc from the horizon maintains bow of boat in water. Fins at stern operate by pistons to open and close fins which extend beyond stern, when opened divert water to rear of boat, when closed do not create drag at high speed. Said fins also control flow of water from bow or sides of craft through tubes exiting to the stern for wake control. 